Blonz and Bergerud spearhead record Norway win

It was the clearest score line ever between the two, with the previous record at nine goals when Norway won an EHF EURO Cup encounter in 2019. Overall, it was Norway’s seventh win in 14 official games against Sweden, and their third at the EHF EURO.

While Norway exit the competition at this stage, Sweden continue to the semi-finals in Cologne.

GROUP II

Norway vs Sweden 33:23 (15:12)

• with their semi-final place locked up, Sweden did not need to push their game too hard, while Norway clearly wanted to leave the EHF EURO 2024 with a victory and brought more power from the outset
• Norway took the lead five minutes before half-time and continued to increase the distance in the second, hitting a seven-goal advantage, 20:13, just six minutes in, at which point the win already appeared secure
• the winner of the battle between the posts shifted ends in the first half, with Sweden’s Tobias Thulin saving at 40 per cent through the first quarter before Torbjørn Bergerud entered Norway’s goal and saved at 60 per cent up to the break
• Bergerud racked up eight saves and was a key factor for Norway, while the attack was led by 11 goals from Alexandre Blonz, who was awarded Grundfos Player of the Match
• the match equalled a dubious record as Sweden look ahead to the semi-finals: their clearest EURO defeat

A Scandinavian medal story

Norway and Sweden have both had their turns playing for the medals at major championships, but interestingly never in the same event. Norway had their breakout tournament at the EHF EURO 2016, reaching their first semi-final in any championship, while Sweden already had a strong trophy and medal record by that time.

Since Norway played that semi-final in Poland, they made it to the World Championship final twice in a row, in 2017 and 2019, as well as the EHF EURO 2020 semi-finals.

This iteration of Sweden players have also reached the semi-finals at four championships: The EHF EURO 2018 and 2022, playing for the trophy in 2018 and winning it in 2022, as well as the 2021 and 2023 World Championships.

While Sweden move on to the semi-finals again, Norway are left waiting for their first turn in a medal round since they clinched bronze at the EHF EURO 2020.

Photos © Kolektiff Images